[Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Mon Jan 25 02:43:24 UTC 2016

First of all, I wasn't going to apologize for anything. This is an NFB talk
list and I was mentioning what the travel and tourism division is doing not
only with Greyhound, but what we are trying to do in the NFB Division, since
we are already a blind organization of issues we are working on for the
blind.

I am also a member of this group or committee  and go to the Lions Group at
the National Conventions.

These are things we are talking about in our organization with help of
others within the NFB but not members of a division. We are a big family of
members who belong to different divisions, and mentioning what we are doing.

There is no ax to grind or anything, if you feel that way, wow. I am not
even going there. You have a nice evening. 

Just reminding others of our other issues going on.

Since also the NFB is in Washington, DC this week and have an ongoing issues
with airline kiosks and websites  as well.

You have a good night. Ax to grind

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
A proud division of the 
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
www.nfbtravel.org
To join the talk list
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria 
Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
ages is our passion!
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
reservations at echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394

Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
Professional"

I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine

P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family, I
would love to help you. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Albert Rizzi [mailto:Albert at Myblindspot.org] 
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 9:27 PM
To: Cheryl Echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>; 'NFB and Lions'
<nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>; 'Dr.Mary Chappell' <mtc5 at cox.net>
Subject: RE: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Cheryl,

Why would you even make a mention of, or try to compare what we are doing in
the cruise industry with the bussing industry.

Seems like you have an ax to grind. Please refrain from even apologizing for
making any inferences, since in doing so you make them more obvious and
apparent.

Sorry if I stepped on your toes, but I am just trying to improve conditions
for my community when and where I can. 

Peace.

-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl Echevarria [mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 9:18 PM
To: 'NFB and Lions' <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>; 'Dr.Mary Chappell'
<mtc5 at cox.net>
Cc: Albert Rizzi <Albert at Myblindspot.org>
Subject: RE: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Just an FYI, Dr. Mary:

The Travel & Tourism Division with other members, and the National officer
is in talks with Greyhound, about the inaccessible website, and when people
call up and they are charged with fees to book tickets over the phone.

NFB Travel & Tourism Division works on these issues along side National,
like other divisions like NAGDU, POBC and other divsions with us. If you
have any travel related issues we would love to hear about them, and
possible help with these issues.

Many people do not know that we have this kind of division or that we are
not working on these issues. 

We do hope that you will reach out whether members here are NFB members or
not, not saying at all the Mr. Rizzi's organization is not a good one.

Cheryl Echevarria, President
National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division A proud
division of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
www.nfbtravel.org
To join the talk list
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
631-236-5138
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Cheryl Echevarria
Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
ages is our passion!
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
reservations at echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394

Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
Professional"

I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine

P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family, I
would love to help you. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-lions [mailto:nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Albert
Rizzi via Nfb-lions
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 5:28 PM
To: NFB and Lions <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>; Dr.Mary Chappell <mtc5 at cox.net>
Cc: Albert Rizzi <Albert at Myblindspot.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Also, so as to not complicate the traffic on the list, would people kindly
write me off list and not, repeat not respond to my inquiry on list. Thanks.
YIL

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-lions [mailto:nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Albert
Rizzi via Nfb-lions
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 5:26 PM
To: Dr.Mary Chappell <mtc5 at cox.net>; 'NFB and Lions' <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Albert Rizzi <Albert at Myblindspot.org>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Thank you Mary. Will let the team know of your interest. -----Original
Message-----
From: Dr.Mary Chappell [mailto:mtc5 at cox.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 5:18 PM
To: 'NFB and Lions' <nfb-lions at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Albert Rizzi <Albert at Myblindspot.org>
Subject: RE: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Albert,
I am  interested in this forum
	I  travel regularly as the Program Coordinator of Psychotherapeutic
Services for Behavioral Health at a  Private training hospital,have had my
share of challenges.
Mary Tatum Chappell
-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-lions [mailto:nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Albert
Rizzi via Nfb-lions
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 12:26 PM
To: NFB and Lionsm. 
Cc: Albert Rizzi
Subject: Re: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Thanks for your feedback Cheryl.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-lions [mailto:nfb-lions-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cheryl
Echevarria via Nfb-lions
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2016 11:51 AM
To: nfb-lions at nfbnet.org; 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List'
<travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
<blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cheryl Echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
Subject: [Nfb-lions] OT Cruise Focus Group

Oops sorry, you may get this more than once, because I had sent this from my
business email and not my registered email with nfbnet.org

I had accidentally deleted this email when it was first posted. Sometimes
this happens.

I wanted to reply to this email that Albert Rizzi has posted about the
cruise focus group. This is a great idea, Albert!

We also need your help meaning clients.

As you may or may not know, not only am I the President of the NFB's Travel
& Tourism Division, but I own my own travel agency. I ask this all the time
when my clients return from their trips: How was your trip? Did it meet your
expectations? Did you have any access issues? Some may say, it was great, I
was able to play my bingo cards (no offense really) no I don't say that to
my clients, but they think if  they can play bingo that is a great cruise.
Many will be honest and tell me no, there was no one to answer our questions
on the ships, no one understood what I meant when I wanted someone to show
me how to prepare for the muster drills (lifeboat drills); or  I couldn't
get anyone to read to me the activities on the ship because they were too
busy, or I couldn't go on any excursions because they wouldn't take a blind
person (this part has to do with work with someone who can book you with
activities of the ship, who can help you then the cruise lines). Some don't
say anything, and wait until I read it on Facebook that it was a terrible
trip. Then I call them, and ask them, why didn't they let me know. The
answer is always, well you cannot fix it, I said, yes we can if we know
about it. 

I do a lot of advocating as well, with the cruise lines, with the help of
people like Andrew Stuarts - President and COO and Cathy Vazquez - Access
Manager of Norwegian Cruise Lines; Vicki Freed - Senior Vice President,
Sales, Trade Support and Service

Royal Caribbean International; and more recently Ken Muscat - Executive Vice
President at MSC Cruises USA Inc.; these cruise lines have come to the table
with myself and other travel professionals who are disabled and service the
disabled community. If you do not see any other names here out of the other
100s of cruise lines, many do not want to come to the table and talk about
it.

Recently, I had a face-to-face conversation with Ms. Cathy Vazquez and Mr.
Andrew Garnett (who attended the Travel & Tourism Division meeting back in
2014) on the Inaugural Sailing of Norwegian's Newest Ship "Escape" out of
Miami, back in early November 2015. That information will be published in
the Braille Monitor, February Edition, Monitor Miniatures area.

We had discussion on braille, on them bringing back the braille printers on
all of the ships, I had showed them that their app  that is available to the
customers were not fully accessible to the blind, I showed them the issues
with signage and that their wall monitors for events and dining were not
accessible on the ship, and that I also showed them the KNFB Reader, since I
do use this as well. 

Also with the help of CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association,
description of  this organization is below, which I have been a member of
since 2009 and earn my Accredited Cruise Counsellor certification back in
2011. CLIA is working with us (meaning travel professionals on a forum for
these issues. This is the organization not only for the travel professionals
but they are their for the consumers, but the louder noise does come from
us, because we service you every day.

Why do I mention this, is because, not only am I disabled, but I am also a
traveler, and I have to know this information for you my customers. 

We also need more and more travel professionals who are blind, the other
disabled communities are not always on the up and up for all access, they
mostly worry about wheelchair accessibility in this industry as well. If you
were at last year's National Convention, I was part of the Jobs Seeker
Seminar that Dick Davis and others arranged, to let you all know that this
industry whether you are a travel professional or a Maintenance Professional
is a Trillion Dollar industry.

I am getting too long winded now, but I am working hard, and there are
others working hard out there to change these situations. You may not see
it, right now, but at least with the cruise lines above that I mentioned
they are getting better. 

Thank you.

Cheryl Echevarria - National Federation of the Blind - Member since 2006

President, NFB Travel & Tourism Division

Vice President, NFB of NY - Greater Long Island Chapter

631-236-5138

cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

Friends and Colleagues,

Have you ever taken a cruise before? Did you ever want to share your
personal stories about your experiences with the right people? Would you
like to be part of a focus group with the leading cruise line in the world
to discuss all the wonderful things that made your experiences memorable, as
well as offer experiential suggestions on how to improve things going
forward?

If you are interested in offering constructive insights into the needs of
the blind and visually impaired community, then please reach out to My Blind
Spot at albert at MyBlindSpot.org<mailto:albert at MyBlindSpot.org> with
your contact information, and include the number of cruises you have taken.
It does not matter what cruise line you prefer, what matters is you're
firsthand experience traveling on cruises that will make the difference in
the selection criteria for this group. This initial group will most likely
be comprised of no more than 10 to 15 qualified travelers. All interested
participants should express their interests in participating no later than
Friday, January

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